Hollande during Paris summit: “The two-state solution is the only solution”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault condemned US President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, calling it a “provocation, which will have serious consequences.” French President Francois Hollande said that “the two-state solution is the only solution.”

France’s peace summit began today (Sunday) in Paris without Israeli or Palestinian representatives. The representatives who came from about 70 countries are expected to call on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to commit to a two-state solution and distance themselves from officials who reject this type of agreement. “The terrorism and settlements threaten the two-state solution,” said French President Francois Hollande during the summit.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told reporters that Donald Trump’s promise to move the US embassy to Jerusalem is a “provocation, which will have serious consequences.” Ayrault said during an interview with the France 3 television network: “Of course [it’s a provocation]. I think he wouldn’t be able to do it.” Ayrault added that “this isn’t the first time that it has been on the agenda of a U.S. president but none of them let themselves make that decision.”

“The two-state solution is the only solution to the situation in the Middle East,” continued Hollande. “The Israeli and Palestinian leaders are responsible for achieving peace.” Despite Hollande’s statements, French officials emphasized last night that they will not impose any decisions on Israel and the Palestinians and that they understand that only direct negotiations will bring about peace.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told reporters that Donald Trump’s promise to move the US embassy to Jerusalem is a “provocation, which will have serious consequences.” Ayrault said during an interview with the France 3 television network: “Of course (it’s a provocation). I think he wouldn’t be able to do it.” Ayrault added that “this isn’t the first time that it has been on the agenda of a U.S. president but none of them let themselves make that decision.”

Francois Hollande Photo Credit: Reuters/Channel 2 News

“One cannot have such a clear-cut, unilateral position,” continued Ayrault. “You have to create the conditions for peace.” Earlier today, Ayrault opened the summit by commenting on the UN Security Council resolution against Israeli settlements in the West Bank: “Now is the time to advance the two-state solution. This isn’t the time to stop.”

He added that the peace summit will establish the momentum for peace. Meanwhile, the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry continued this morning to criticize the summit: “The participants in the Paris summit must call on the head of the Palestinian Authority to put an end to the discourse of hate and praise for terrorists and return to direct negotiations with Israel without any preconditions.”